I just beat the 360 version of Sonic Unleashed.

That was... pretty alright. Without spoiling the review I'm writing for our site, the game can be summed up in one phrase:

"It's a good game, but..."

It's not perfect, but this is probably most progressive foot the franchise has put forward since the original Sonic Adventure, and is one of the most fun 3D Sonic games since Sonic Adventure 2. And, for those not in the know, the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed is pretty different from the 360 version. I watched quite a bit of the Wii version on Youtube and the 360/PS3 version definitely feels like the complete experience.

Keep an eye on my blog over the next few days as I try and put my feelings in to words - I have a hunch it's going to be a long review.

I just beat the 360 version of Sonic Unleashed.

That was... pretty alright. Without spoiling the review I'm writing for our site, the game can be summed up in one phrase:

"It's a good game, but..."

It's not perfect, but this is probably most progressive foot the franchise has put forward since the original Sonic Adventure, and is one of the most fun 3D Sonic games since Sonic Adventure 2. And, for those not in the know, the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed is pretty different from the 360 version. I watched quite a bit of the Wii version on Youtube and the 360/PS3 version definitely feels like the complete experience.

Keep an eye on my blog over the next few days as I try and put my feelings in to words - I have a hunch it's going to be a long review.

I don't get why they don't just make a really awesome game, a-la Street Fighter 4 but just make it 3 hours and with tons of collectibles and give it a $40 price tag.

I'm sure it is a good game...when you're not playing the Werehog parts.

"I'm sure it is a good game...when you're not playing the Werehog parts."

It might be better than the Emerald Shard hunting, but that's not exactly a compliment...why they couldn't just stick with classic Sonic for the whole game will never make sense to me.

"It might be better than the Emerald Shard hunting, but that's not exactly a compliment...why they couldn't just stick with classic Sonic for the whole game will never make sense to me."

A lot of 3D platformers have gimmicks, not just Sonic.

I actually like the Werehog sections of Unleashed, Sonic runs so damn fast sometimes its nice to have a break! Blaze is right, compared to the emerald hunting quests of SA2, and Hell, even those boring mech shooting quests with Tails and Eggman, the Werehog sections are somewhat fun. The only downside to them is that they get a bit repetative from my perspective, but then if it was just the daytime stages, that would get pretty old too.

What I would love to see is a remake of the original Sonic using the Hedgehog engine, I think that would be pretty sweet, although also pretty short. Sonic games would be pretty short without something in the middle to break it up actually, and I think people only hate the Werehog sections of Unleashed because, hey, it's a flippin Werehog! If those sections had you playing as Knuckles or something, I think people would have been a lot more forgiving.

"A lot of 3D platformers have gimmicks, not just Sonic.

I actually like the Werehog sections of Unleashed, Sonic runs so damn fast sometimes its nice to have a break! Blaze is right, compared to the emerald hunting quests of SA2, and Hell, even those boring mech shooting quests with Tails and Eggman, the Werehog sections are somewhat fun. The only downside to them is that they get a bit repetative from my perspective, but then if it was just the daytime stages, that would get pretty old too.

What I would love to see is a remake of the original Sonic using the Hedgehog engine, I think that would be pretty sweet, although also pretty short. Sonic games would be pretty short without something in the middle to break it up actually, and I think people only hate the Werehog sections of Unleashed because, hey, it's a flippin Werehog! If those sections had you playing as Knuckles or something, I think people would have been a lot more forgiving."

I think it would have helped a little, as the initial resistance most people have is "OMG there is a WEREHOG in SONIC!" :O

I don't think Sonic Unleashed is broken at all. I would certainly go as far as to say it is the best 3D Sonic game, better than the two Sonic Adventure titles, and they sure were not broken. The gameplay works in Unleashed, you don't run through a level and fall half way through the floor like in Sonic 06. Yeah, the controls are a bit slippery and difficult at times, but once you get used to them, how Sonic moves and how the game is played, then it controls well. The Werehog sections can be frustrating jumping from platform to platform if you don't realise that holding B (On the 360 version at least) helps you to accurately grab on to ledges. Before I knew that, I kept dying a lot and cursing the game too, but just getting over a few smaller control niggles now means that I enjoy the game a lot more.

I would never say that Sonic Unleashed is broken or that Sega screwed up with it. I totally think the Hedgehog engine and the daytime stages at least are a step in the right direction for Sonic. The Werehog stages are obviously unpopular though. Sonic 06, now that was a screw up! But Unleashed is nothing like Sonic 06 at all.

Blaze! You are back!

I do want to play this game a little bit.

"Kush said:

"It might be better than the Emerald Shard hunting, but that's not exactly a compliment...why they couldn't just stick with classic Sonic for the whole game will never make sense to me."

Exactly, this is Sonic Teams problem, they just don't know how to make a great game without a Gimmick anymore."

"I don't get why they don't just make a really awesome game, a-la Street Fighter 4 but just make it 3 hours and with tons of collectibles and give it a $40 price tag.

Or better yet make it even shorter and then put it out on XBLM.

Was it on a Bombcast where someone talked about how Sonic Team said that because sonic moved so fast they'd have to design a ton of land for a map so that's why they add in the stupid Werewolf and city sections: to add length?

"

But as many people noted, if this was just a Sonic-only game and they removed the Werehog and the hub worlds, the game could be beaten in under an hour. That's really, honestly what you want? There's no way something like that would be profitable for Sega nowadays. 

"BlazeHedgehog said:

But as many people noted, if this was just a Sonic-only game and they removed the Werehog and the hub worlds, the game could be beaten in under an hour. That's really, honestly what you want? There's no way something like that would be profitable for Sega nowadays. 

Yes. It is. Sonic ISN'T profitable anyways. The only way Sonic WOULD sell would be with 6 year old girls unless they did something straight up old school Sonic, 3d effects or not.

The record for a Sonic speed run is 5 minutes right? Put an old school HD 2d Sonic on XBLM/PSN charge 15 bucks, add in leaderboards AND TONS of unlockables and you have a game that will definitely show that sonic DOESN'T SUCK.

"

Boy, holding right sure is a lot of fun.

why?

I really don't think anyone would care if this damned Sonic would just die for a good 10 years or so. Then it can pull a Super Duper HD Remix Version and it would sell well again. Everyone is on to bigger and better games this generation, please slow down Sonic, you're not impressing anyone. 

"It's a good game, but..."

It's not perfect, but this is probably most progressive foot the franchise has put forward since the original Sonic Adventure, and is one of the most fun 3D Sonic games since Sonic Adventure 2. And, for those not in the know, the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed is pretty different from the 360 version. I watched quite a bit of the Wii version on Youtube and the 360/PS3 version definitely feels like the complete experience.

"I really don't think anyone would care if this damned Sonic would just die for a good 10 years or so. Then it can pull a Super Duper HD Remix Version and it would sell well again. Everyone is on to bigger and better games this generation, please slow down Sonic, you're not impressing anyone. "

ive got it rented, i just played the second level (normal sonic) and its pretty fucking awesome once you get some speed up. I guess now it just depends on my tolerance for the werehog levels.

Also my enjoyment for this entirely relies on my ability to ignore the story, dialogue and characters.